One-on-one business program providing great opportunities - by Joseph Solomon

From chocolatiers to a veteran-run locksmith shop, to fine printing company and new coffee shop, our one-on-one business program has been providing us with a fantastic opportunity to visit local businesses weekly and hear their ideas and concerns.

A recent visit to Blazing Editions, housed in the historic Greenwich Mills complex, introduced us to vice president Josef Blazar, whose family owns the company, and artist Kate Wilson. For the past 20 years, the company – which proudly touts its Ocean State location – has emerged into a leader in the fine arts industry. They have earned a national reputation for creating the highest quality reproductions on canvas, photo paper, watercolor paper, metal, tile and glass. In addition to the printmaking division, Blazing Editions is an international art distribution company, representing contemporary artists throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Visit blazing.com or blazingfineart.com to learn more about this family-owned and operated continuing success story. 

We also had the opportunity this month to welcome two new businesses at 2291 West Shore Rd. The renovated building is now home to West Shore Coffee Bar, which is part coffeehouse, part entertainment venue and part art gallery. Owner Dan Saffer is committed to featuring the talents of local Rhode Island artists and musicians, along with a delicious array of coffees, beer and wine along with breakfast foods and desserts. Next door is Jon’s Locks, a veteran-owned and operated locksmith and security services company. Owner Jon Issa has been a professional locksmith since 2005 and opened the doors to his business in 2013. Visit westshorecoffee.com and jonslocks.com for more information. 

Those with a sweet tooth should surely take time to visit The Chocolate Delicacy, located in historic Apponaug Village. Owners Marie and Dave Schaller founded the store in 1992, moving to Warwick three years ago to a larger facility that allowed them to expand their operations. In addition to a delicious array of chocolates, including themed boxes like the Rhode Island sampler and Thank You assortment to choose from, The Chocolate Delicacy also offers fit baskets for every occasion. Visit chocolatedelicacy.com to check out all they have to offer.

In addition to allowing us to have personal interaction with a variety of people in our business community, this program showcases the diversity of our commercial base and the fact that Warwick has properties for sale or lease-to-suit virtually any business venture. Visit movetowarwickri.com, call the Department of Tourism, Culture and Development, or email director Karen Jedson at Karen.jedson@warwickri.com to discover how we can help your businesses move to and succeed in Warwick. 

Joseph Solomon is the mayor of Warwick.